功能 (gōngnéng)

功能 refers to the specific function, role, or capability that a person, object, organ, or system is designed to perform or is capable of performing.

Meanings

[noun] function, capability, feature (of a tool, organ, system, or person)

Example Sentences

这款手机的拍照功能非常强大，受到用户的广泛好评。 Zhè kuǎn shǒujī de pāizhào gōngnéng fēicháng qiángdà, shòudào yònghù de guǎngfàn hǎopíng. The camera function of this phone is extremely powerful and has received widespread praise from users.

肝脏的主要功能是代谢毒素和合成蛋白质。 Gānzàng de zhǔyào gōngnéng shì dàixiè dúsù hé héchéng dànbáizhì. The main functions of the liver are to metabolize toxins and synthesize proteins.

随着年龄增长，大脑的某些认知功能可能会逐渐退化。 Suízhe niánlíng zēngzhǎng, dànǎo de mǒu xiē rèn zhī gōngnéng kěnéng huì zhújiàn tuìhuà. As one ages, certain cognitive functions of the brain may gradually decline.

这个软件新版本增加了许多实用的新功能。 Zhège ruǎnjiàn xīn bǎnběn zēngjiā le xǔduō shíyòng de xīn gōngnéng. The new version of this software has added many practical new features.

语言的基本功能是传递信息和表达情感。 Yǔyán de jīběn gōngnéng shì chuándì xìnxī hé biǎodá qínggǎn. The basic functions of language are to convey information and express emotions.

在制度设计中，权力的制约功能至关重要。 Zài zhìdù shèjì zhōng, quánlì de zhìyuē gōngnéng zhìguān zhòngyào. In institutional design, the constraining function of power is crucial.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
主要功能	main function
功能强大	powerful functionality
新功能	new feature/function
功能障碍	functional disorder
生理功能	physiological function
发挥功能	to fulfill its function

Usage Notes

功能 is used across all domains: technology (产品功能, product features), medicine (器官功能, organ function), linguistics (语言功能, language function), and social science (社会功能, social function). It is extremely versatile and one of the most common nouns in technical and academic Chinese.

功能 differs from 作用 (zuòyòng, effect/role): 功能 refers to the designed or inherent capability of something (what it can do), while 作用 refers to the actual effect or influence it has on something else. A medicine's 功能 is "to lower blood pressure"; its 作用 is "the effect it has on the patient."

Memory Hook

功 means "achievement/work" and 能 means "ability/can" -- 功能 is the ability to do the work it was made for, the job it is capable of performing by its very nature.